The Coastal Packet is the local edition of the Progressive Review, following Maine news and progressive politics.

Wednesday, January 10

California water board takes action against Nestle

Story of Stuff -The State Water Board confirms allegations made against Nestlé Waters North America that the multimillion dollar corporation is taking water from the San Bernardino National Forest in Southern California to which it has no legal claim. The announcement validates the complaints filed in favor of this investigation by citizens in the San Bernardino region and public advocacy organizations The Story of Stuff Project and Courage Campaign Institute.

The Water Board has directed Nestlé to limit its water take to an annual 8.5 million gallons, what is legally permitted by the company’s water right. Nestlé takes, on average, 62.6 million gallons a year to supply its Arrowhead brand water bottles. To be in compliance with the Board’s conclusion, Nestlé must immediately cease any unauthorized diversions. This includes a series of well complexes in the San Bernardino National Forest from which Nestlé draws the majority of its water.

The investigation substantiates concerns that Nestlé continues to bottle public water taken off public lands in California for private gain without adhering the legal framework established to ensure that water use, in an increasingly drought-ridden state that has been devastated by wildfires in recent months, is reasonable, efficient, and benefits all Californians as well as the state’s natural ecosystems.

About the editor

Coastal Packet is edited by Sam Smith, who covered Washington under nine presidents, has edited the Progressive Review for 53 years, wrote four books, been published in five anthologies, helped to start six organizations (including the the national Green Party and the DC Statehood Party), was a plaintiff in three successful class action suits, served as a Coast Guard officer, and played in jazz bands for four decades. Albeit from away, he first started coming to Maine in 1946, and now lives here full time.